Would the tabloids be a deal breaker for Leona? Luke didn’t understand why that worried her. It would give her more exposure. Hopefully, she wouldn’t shut him down the first time they were spotted together.
He sat down behind her on the lounge and took the lotion from her. Without a word, she glanced back and smiled as he put a dollop in his hand to rub into her silky skin.
Biting the inside of his cheeks, he attempted to control the grin. He wanted to touch every inch of her until she begged for more. Those smoky dark eyes were pure sensuality. Fuck, he was going to be in a constant state of arousal with her there. How long was he going to last before getting her naked?
And as bad as he wanted her, he wanted to slow down. No rushing to the finish line. He wanted to wine and dine her, get inside her head. He wanted to make a lasting impression.
He skated his hands across her lower back, just above her waistband. A gasp left her lips.
Leaning in, he whispered, “Love your satin skin.”
Her breath caught and he sat back to finish.
“If you lie down I can do your legs.” He knelt beside the lounge and she lay back.
“Didn’t get to my legs, but I got the rest of my front.” She watched him with those big dark eyes.
Damn, he wanted to rub the lotion into her stomach, and everywhere else. She’d laid out the wrap on the lounge before lying down, so he had all of her shapely long legs to do. Biting the inside of his cheek, he went to work.
Her eyes closed and she held her breath while he focused on her thigh, lifting her leg to make sure every inch of exposed flesh was covered. He didn’t comment on the ridiculously high SPF on the bottle. Then again, he liked her pale skin, the light freckles across her shoulders and nose.
Ryan asked, “Either of you need to be anywhere tonight?”
“I don’t have any plans,” Luke replied.
“No plans,” Leona answered, her voice lower than before.
God, he wanted those legs wound around him.
“We could stay out as late as you want. I was going to make dinner. Ryan has lunch covered already. We have snacks,” Raven offered.
“Sounds good to me,” Ryan chimed in.
“Me too,” Luke answered.
Leona met his gaze and nodded. “Sure, I’m game. Mona can keep herself busy.”
“Who’s that?” Ryan asked.
“My closest friend. She came out for moral support while I was dealing with the negotiations. If she hadn’t dragged me out, I wouldn’t have met Luke.” One corner of that full pink mouth lifted. “I’m glad she took me.”
“Me too,” Luke answered. Though, he would have found a way to run into her eventually. She had a signing coming up in a few months, and he had already talked Raven into going with him.
Would it be weird for her to sign a few books for him? How would she sign them?
Shaking his head, he finished with her lotion and lay back in the lounge beside hers.
Knowing she didn’t want to talk about her books or her ex, and Raven and Ryan wouldn’t want to talk movies, he had to think of a neutral topic.
Luke came up with one. “How did you meet Mona?”
Leona looked over and smiled. “First day of fifth grade. I was reading Lord of the Rings, and she plopped down next to me to find out who was my favorite and why.”
“And who’s your favorite?” Raven prompted.
“Galadriel, though Gandalf was a close second,” Leona answered.
Luke grinned. “You like magic.”
Leona nodded. “Always have.”
“I do love Twisted Fates. The way you show the magic is incredible. It’s all so realistic, which shouldn’t be possible,” Raven added.
Leona’s laugh took his breath. “Thank you. I have been told that a few times. It’s good to hear I didn’t go too far, but I’ve heard that too.”
“Unfortunately, there are always critics,” Ryan offered. “I read the first Midnight’s Daughter and started the second. I have to say, I’m drawn in. Your characters are relatable, even in the craziest situations.”
“Really, you don’t have to say that,” she protested.
Ryan grinned. “It’s true. I’m just a slow reader.”
“You’re a busy man.”
“So am I, but I’ve managed to read all of them,” Luke teased.
Shaking her head and blushing, Leona changed the topic, “What do you usually do out here?”
Raven smiled over at Leona. “Relax, and forget the rest of the world. And of course, whatever we want to do.”
Ryan turned on some music and dropped down in another lounge. “Anything we want. Which usually isn’t much. We take our breaks where we can get them.”
“I can imagine,” Leona answered, then turned her attention to Luke. She wet her bottom lip.
He wanted to suck that plump juicy morsel into his mouth, press in tight, slip his hand down her leg and back up her thigh to grip that firm round ass.
Her breath caught, and she broke eye contact when she closed her eyes and laid her head back.
Shit, he was going to have a severe case of blue balls at this rate.
* * * *
Foolish misconceptions. No one on the boat was full of themselves. They were so much easier to talk to than she expected. After the first few awkward conversations where they were trying to find a comfortable place to settle, they fell into their groove.
Within an hour, they seemed like old friends. And without anyone around to hassle them, it was easy to forget about the contract, the movie, her ex and his bullshit.
And what might have surprised her the most? Luke had recently lost a cat that he missed and wanted to replace. He had a sweet side a mile-wide.
Ryan hopped up sometime around noon to grab lunch. He packed a variety of handmade sandwiches, and a veggie tray he prepared.
Leona sat the lounge chair up and grabbed a tuna salad and some veggies before settling back in.
Luke grinned as he sat down beside her with a turkey sandwich. “It’s nice out here, isn’t it?”
“Very peaceful. I have to imagine with your crazy lives it’s a nice getaway.”
“Very. Every once in a while, we get a boat of photographers nearby, but we go inside to ignore them,” Raven explained. She glanced out over the water. “Manny usually takes us out far enough it’s not an issue.”
“He knows the drill. And once we’re in a good spot, he’ll stop the boat and join us,” Ryan said.
“Should I feel weird we haven’t seen him yet?” Leona asked.
Luke scrubbed the back of his neck. “May not even notice him. He’s pretty quiet. Sits in the corner and only joins in the conversation when he feels he has something interesting to add, which isn’t that often.”
Leona’s head cocked. “That’s no fun. Maybe we can break him out of his shell.”
A slow smile spread on Ryan’s face. “How do you propose we do that?”
She lifted a shoulder. “I need a few minutes to think of something. But he hasn’t anchored the boat yet, so we have a bit.”
Ryan looked at the cabin. “I’d love it if my brother opened up some.”
“Maybe you should bring someone he’d like,” Raven offered.
Luke rolled his eyes. “Would you really want to spend all day stuck on a boat with Tara Punce?”
Leona sat up, her interest piqued. “What’s wrong with her?”
“Fame-hound,” Luke answered immediately. “I made the mistake of taking her home, before finding out Manny had a thing for her. She made a scene when I left her that night. I’m just hoping I don’t run into her again.”
Raven shook her head. “She was caught on camera in the bathroom of a club with the only co-star I ever dated. And that made plenty of tabloids. She’s looking for another fifteen minutes of fame.”
“Damn, I wish I could have remembered that,” Ryan stated. “Maybe I could have talked Luke out of his stupidity that night.”
“Me
too. I never would have gone home with her. Now I just feel slimy.” Luke shuddered.
“I’d be happy never winding up photographed,” Leona muttered.
Luke took her hand. “I really do hope cameras won’t send you running the first time they spot us together.”
Leona licked her lips. She had no clue how to answer that. Anonymity was a great thing, though she hadn’t used a pen name. She had used her maiden name, and now she was happy she had. So far Leona had been lucky in avoiding some of the drama a few authors friends had dealt with, but at least her family supported her writing.
Raven cleared her throat. “Don’t put her on the spot. That’s not something she would know until it happens. And maybe she’ll be lucky and the media won’t rip her apart the first chance they get.”
Ryan nodded. “Let’s hope. It’s never fun to watch that fallout.”
“I can always retreat to my house across the country and hide.” A laugh escaped Leona, but she wasn’t amused. No, she was busy trying to squash those thoughts. Because really, it shouldn’t matter what anyone thought about her. Normally, she didn’t care.
“Sorry.” Luke stood. “Another glass?” he asked, snagging her empty wine glass.
She didn’t fail to notice Raven’s glass was still full. Ryan’s wasn’t, so she nodded. “Sure.”
The engine shut off as Luke filled empty glasses.
* * * *
Damn, he felt stupid. Leona had been laughing, joking, telling stories. Now she quietly stared out at the ocean.
Manny took one look at Leona and grinned. “Your distraction from last night, Luke?”
Luke tipped his head. “The one who got away, but I caught up with her this morning.”
Leona’s brow pinched, but she wore a smile. “He told you about me?”
“Only briefly last night. And then he laughed when I didn’t bring you back to the VIP because you were busy sneaking out the door.” Luke rolled his eyes.
“And you like Tara?” Leona asked Manny.
Manny lifted a shoulder. “She’s hot. And I don’t have to worry about her going after fame with me. I’m not famous.”
Leona’s eyes widened. “No, but your brother is. And who’s to say she wouldn’t use you to get to him?”
“Yeah, but she has no chance with Ryan. Totally not his type,” Manny answered.
Her head cocked.
In all honestly, Luke had no clue what Ryan’s type was. He never seemed interested in anyone. He could flirt with everyone, and he did when the mood struck, but it didn’t often.
Whatever, he was a good guy, and if he wanted to avoid all relationships, so be it.
Leona smiled up at Manny. “I’m Leona.” She offered her hand.
Taking it, he grinned. “A pleasure. And now I know who you are. The author these guys are always talking about.”
“Don’t read a lot of books?”
He shook his head.
“That’s okay. Not everyone does.”
And just like that, Manny joined the conversation.
Chapter 10
By 3:00 a.m., Luke pulled into the hotel parking lot. He didn’t see a single person in the garage. Leona had fallen asleep.
He leaned over and unbuckled her belt. “Leona, you’re here. Should I come up? Tuck you in?”
Her big dark eyes fluttered open. “Hmm?” Her gaze latched onto his. “Oh, um…” Her breath hitched.
“I’m not going to take advantage of you. Let me get you upstairs.”
Blinking, she yawned, then nodded.
Luke hurried out of the car. Thankfully he’d been smart enough to stop drinking around ten. He hadn’t had that much to begin with. Leona, however, drank far more than she should have.
Not that he was judging, but he carried her from the boat to the car.
He opened her door and took her hand, pulling Leona to a stand.
She leaned into him and breathed deep. “You smell like sun and chocolate.” They’d had plenty of it thanks to Raven’s obsession with the stuff. Leona seemed to share the same addiction. And he wouldn’t mind supplying her with plenty of chocolate.
“That’s good. You seem to like both.”
“I like you.” She giggled.
Laughing, he latched an arm around her waist before leading her to the elevator. “Where’s your room key?”
“Hmm?” she murmured.
“The key. So we can get in.”
She dug around in her purse, found her key, and folder it came in. “Here.”
He pressed the button for the seventh floor and pulled her against his side.
She gulped. Then those dark eyes latched onto him and a slow grin spread across her face. “You shouldn’t come in. I won’t behave.”
He tipped her chin up. “I will. I’m getting you in bed, then I’ll leave. Tomorrow, I’ll pick you up. We’ll find something to do away from the city, where we won’t be ogled.”
“You’re sweet.”
“And you’re sexy, but I’m not done with you.”
“I want you,” she admitted in a husky whisper.
“I want you so damned bad, but not while you’re drunk.”
She pouted.
He couldn’t help taking a kiss. He managed to keep his hands to himself, but only barely.
Her hands landed around his waist. Shit, that only made the craving worse, but he was determined to do right by her, and that meant not fucking her silly when there was a good chance she wasn’t going to remember every last detail the next morning.
He managed to move back but keep his hand on her lower back. Luke plucked the card from her hand and easily found her room. He let them in and she pushed him toward a bedroom in the small suite. He noticed her laptop on a desk and smiled.
She would have worked her ass off if he hadn’t taken her out.
“I’m tucking you in, giving you a good night kiss, then going home, alone.”
“You don’t need to be an angel,” she purred, the words slightly slurred.
“Don’t want to be a demon in the morning,” he murmured, pushing her toward the room. He grabbed the silky nightgown as she unhooked the top of her bathing suit.
Fucking hell, she was gorgeous. Full breasts that called to his hands and mouth. But he bit his tongue and pulled the slip over her head. “Don’t, Leona. If you’ll have me tomorrow, without the wine, I’m all yours.” And he meant it with every cell in his body.
She reached under the silk nightie and pulled the bottoms down her long legs. Then she reached for his belt and he caught her hand.
“Leona, not like this.” Might kill him not to give her want she wanted, but he wanted her sober the first time.
“Then tuck me in, party-pooper.”
“Oh, I’ll give you a party tomorrow.”
“You say that now,” she teased, blinking up at him. “I’d rather you show me tonight.”
“Tomorrow.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead and moved the blankets as he pushed her toward the bed.
She laid down with a sigh. He covered her and backed toward the door.
“It’s late. There’s another bedroom.” She yawned. “If you won’t stay here, with me, sleep there. You don’t have to leave.”
“You won’t try to change my mind?”
A big yawn escaped as she turned on her side and closed her eyes. “Once I’m out, I’ll stay out until morning.”
“Sweet dreams, Leona.”
“Nighty-night, Luke.” She blew a kiss.
He took her up on the offer, but left long enough to grab the overnight bag he had stashed in his car.
* * * *
Leona woke to her phone pinging away like crazy. She opened it up to find texts from Mona.
Mona - He’s in your room, isn’t he?
Mona - Did he rock your world?
Mona - Come on, how was yesterday?
Mona - Must have been good, he’s there with you now.
Mona - OMG! TELL ME!
And that wa
sn’t the end of her nonstop string of texts that pulled Leona out of her slumber.
She dialed the number.
Mona squealed. “Is he amazing?”
“He’s a knight. He slept in the spare room.”
“Why the hell did he do that? Did you make him?”
Leona stifled the laugh. “No, he made himself because I drank too much. In fact, I’m not sure I want to sit up yet. My head might start pounding if I move.”
“How much did you drink?”
She thought back. “Couple bottles of really good wine over the course of the evening?” She wasn’t totally sure.
“Wow, really?”
“Unless he left, but I don’t think he did. He wants to make sure I remember all of it.” She sighed dreamily.
“And here I figured he would be a good romp or two in the sack, but no, he’s going to make you fall in love. I hope you can handle him.”
“Shut up!” she squealed. No thinking about love, long-term. Nothing but fun and pleasure. That’s all either of them had time for.
Mona sighed. “Think you might order breakfast to your room for all of us?”
“Just you?” Leona managed to sit up and winced.
She laughed. “Just me. The bouncer was hot, but I can’t see it going anywhere. He’s a gym rat. I need some intelligence mixed in with all that brawn. Not a lot, just enough for a real conversation.”
“Your normal breakfast?” Leona asked.
“Yes, please.”
Leona looked down at herself and gulped. Flashes of how she got into the silk nightie rushed through her head. Shit.
“Give me thirty minutes.” She hung up and ran to the bathroom to brush her teeth. Her headache came roaring in. She took two Advil and the quickest shower of her life.
Then she rushed back to her room to dress in a summer dress.
Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the other bedroom door and closed her eyes.
The door opened and a warm hand curled around her waist, pulling her inside.
Her eyes flew open as she got a good look at every muscle on his abs, chest, and arms. Then she was in his arms.
“Nearly forgot my promise to let you sleep.” His mouth crashed over hers.
The Callback Page 6